[scan device and a method for enhacing the life of the same]

ABSTRACT

A scan device and a method for enhancing the life of the same are provided. The scan device comprises a scan chassis, a random selecting device, a brightness judging device and a chart. There are many lamps in the scan chassis, and each one of the lamps can provide a light with a predetermined brightness to the document. The random selecting device, which can randomly choose to turn on one of the lamps, is electrically connected to the scan chassis. The brightness judging device is electrically connected to the scan chassis. The chart is disposed above the scan chassis. By turning on one of the lamps randomly, the life of the scan device is enhanced. After a lamp fails, some or all of the other lamps are turned on so as to obtain a light with enough brightness and to further enhance the life of the scan device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwanapplication serial no. 91125113, filed Oct. 25, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to a scan device and amethod thereof, and more particularly, to a scan device and a method forenhancing the life of same.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Accompanying the great enhancement of computer performance andthe intensive development of Internet and multimedia techniques, besidesusing the digital camera (DC) to capture an image, other relateddocuments or photos all extract the analog image from the text orpicture by using the image input operation of an optical scanner, andthe analog image is converted into a digital signal for output, so as toperform the operations of displaying, OCR (Optical CharacterRecognition), editing, storing, and output on the computer or otherelectronic product.

[0006] In the optical scanner, for example, in the flat scanner, thescan principle is that a light source is used to generate a light andthe light is emitted to the object to be scanned, so that after thelight is reflected or transmitted from the object to be scanned, thelight forms an image on an image capturing device after it is reflectedfrom multiple sets of the reflection mirrors and focused by an opticallens.

[0007]FIG. 1 schematically shows a diagram of a conventional lightsource module disposed on a scan chassis. Referring to FIG. 1, the scanchassis 100 is suitable for scanning a document 10, and the scan chassis100 comprises a chassis cover 110, a light source module 120, areflection mirrors set 130, an optical lens set 140, and an imagecapturing device 150. The light source module 120 comprises a lampholder 122 and a lamp 124. Wherein, the lamp 124 is disposed inside thelamp holder 122, and the light source module 120 is disposed on thechassis cover 110. Further, the reflection mirror set 130 is disposedinside the chassis cover 110, and it is disposed on the light pathbehind the document 10. Moreover, the optical lens set 140 is disposedinside the chassis cover 110, and it is disposed on the light pathbehind the reflection mirror set 130. The image capturing device 150 issuch as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and it is disposed inside thechassis cover 110 on a location in the light path behind the opticallens 140.

[0008] The light emitted from the lamp 124 emits onto the document 10,and the light enters into the chassis cover 110 via an opening 112 cuton the chassis cover 110 after it is reflected from the document 10, andthe light finally forms an image on the image capturing device 150 afterit is focused by the optical lens 140.

[0009] To be noted, the operation of the scan chassis is mainly limitedby the life of the lamp. Normally, a general lamp fails after it hasbeen used for about 10,000 hours (i.e. the brightness of the lampdegrades to 50% of the brightness of the original lamp at that time).However, the operation limit of other mechanical or electroniccomponents on the scan chassis is much longer than the life of the lamp.Therefore, it causes a great waste if the scan chassis is directlyreplaced. In order to enhance the life of the scan chassis, there aretwo methods proposed by the prior art: (1) Using a long life lamp, suchas a Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) so that a rather longer lifecan be obtained, however, using the long life lamp increases the costand the enhanced life is quite limited. (2) Reducing the current flowingthrough the lamp, so that a longer life can be obtained, however,reducing the current flowing through the lamp decreases the brightnessof the lamp and generates unstable problems such as the lamp flickeringand thus directly impacts the scanning quality.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] To solve the problems mentioned above, the object of the presentinvention is to provide a scan device and a method for enhancing thelife of the same, so as to significantly increase the life of the scandevice.

[0011] Based on the object mentioned above, the present inventionprovides a scan device that is suitable for scanning a document. Thescan device comprises a scan chassis, a random selecting device, abrightness judging device, and a chart. Wherein, the scan chassiscomprises a chassis cover, a plurality of light source modules, areflection mirror set, an optical lens, and an image capturing device.The light source modules are disposed on the chassis cover, and each ofthe light source modules comprises a lamp holder and a lamp. Further,each lamp is disposed in the corresponding lamp holder, and each lampcan provide a light with a predetermined brightness to the document. Thereflection mirror set is disposed inside the chassis cover, and locatedin the light path behind the document. The optical lens is disposedinside the chassis cover, and located in the light path behind thereflection mirror set. The image capturing device is also disposedinside the chassis cover, and located in the light path behind theoptical lens. Further, the random selecting device electrically connectsto the scan chassis, so as to randomly select and turn on one of thelamps in the scan chassis. Furthermore, the brightness judging devicealso electrically connects to the scan chassis. The chart is disposedabove the scan chassis.

[0012] Similarly, based on the same object mentioned above, the presentinvention further provides a scan device that is suitable for scanning adocument. The scan device comprises a scan chassis, a random selectingdevice, a brightness judging device, and a chart. Wherein, the scanchassis comprises a chassis cover, at least one light source module, areflection mirror set, an optical lens, and an image capturing device.The light source module is disposed on the chassis cover, and the lightsource module comprises a lamp holder and a plurality of lamps. Further,the lamps are disposed in the lamp holder, and each lamp can provide alight with a predetermined brightness to the document. The reflectionmirror set is disposed inside the chassis cover, and located in thelight path behind the document. The optical lens is disposed inside thechassis cover, and located in the light path behind the reflectionmirror set. The image capturing device is also disposed inside thechassis cover, and located in the light path behind the optical lens.Further, the random selecting device electrically connects to the scanchassis, so as to randomly select and turn on one of the lamps in thescan chassis. Furthermore, the brightness judging device alsoelectrically connects to the scan chassis. The chart is disposed abovethe scan chassis.

[0013] Further, the scan chassis has an opening, and the light reflectedfrom the document arrives at the reflection mirror set via the opening.Further, the image capturing device is such as a CCD.

[0014] Similarly, based on the same object mentioned above, the presentinvention provides a method for enhancing the life of a scan device. Atfirst, a scan device is provided, wherein the scan device comprises aplurality of lamps, a reflection mirror set, an optical lens set, and animage capturing device, wherein each of the lamps can provide a lightwith a predetermined brightness to the document. Then, one of the lampsis randomly selected and turned on.

[0015] Similarly, based on the same object mentioned above, the presentinvention further provides a method for enhancing the life of a scandevice. At first, a scan device is provided, wherein the scan devicecomprises a first lamp, a second lamp, a reflection mirror set, anoptical lens set, and an image capturing device. Wherein, the first lampand the second lamp can provide a light with a predetermined brightnessto the document. Then, the first lamp is turned on and a chart isscanned, so as to obtain a first scanning result. Then, it is determinedwhether the brightness of the first scanning result is higher than apredetermined value or not. If it is, the scanning document is started.Otherwise, when the brightness of the scanning result is lower than thepredetermined value, the first lamp is turned off and the second lamp isturned on.

[0016] Then, after the second lamp is turned on, the chart is scanned soas to obtain a second scanning result. Then, it is determined whetherthe brightness of the second scanning result is higher than thepredetermined value or not. If it is, the scanning of the document isstarted. Otherwise, when the brightness of the scanning result is lowerthan the predetermined value, the first lamp and the second lamp areturned on simultaneously.

[0017] Then, after the first lamp and the second lamp are turned onsimultaneously, the chart is scanned so as to obtain a third scanningresult. Finally, it is determined whether the brightness of the thirdscanning result is higher than the predetermined value or not. If it is,the scanning of the document is started. Otherwise, when the brightnessof the scanning result is lower than the predetermined value, the useris notified to replace the first lamp and the second lamp.

[0018] Similarly, based on the same object mentioned above, the presentinvention further provides a method for enhancing the life of scandevice. At first, a scan device is provided, wherein the scan devicecomprises a plurality of lamps, a reflection mirror set, an optical lensset, and an image capturing device, wherein each of the lamps canprovide a light with a predetermined brightness to the document. Then,one of the lamps is randomly selected and turned on. A chart is scannedso as to obtain a scanning result. It is determined whether thebrightness of the scanning result is higher than a predetermined valueor not. If it is, the scanning document is started. Otherwise, when thebrightness of the scanning result is lower than the predetermined value,the other lamp is selected and turned on.

[0019] Further, when the brightness of the scanning result is lower thanthe predetermined value, a step of scanning the chart so as to obtain ascanning result and determining whether the brightness of the scanningresult is higher than the predetermined value or not is repeatedlyperformed.

[0020] Finally, when all lamps are selected and all brightness of thescanning results obtained from using the lamps to scan are lower thanthe predetermined value, all lamps can be turned on simultaneously oronly some lamps are turned on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of theinvention, and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

[0022]FIG. 1 schematically shows a diagram of a conventional lightsource module disposed on a scan chassis.

[0023]FIG. 2 schematically shows a diagram of a scan device of apreferred embodiment according to the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 3 schematically shows a diagram of a light source moduledisposed on a scan chassis of a preferred embodiment according to thepresent invention.

[0025]FIG. 4 schematically shows a flow chart of a method for turning onthe light source module of a preferred embodiment according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026]FIG. 2 schematically shows a diagram of a scan device of apreferred embodiment according to the present invention. The scan device200 is suitable for scanning a document, and the scan device 200comprises a random selecting device 210, a brightness judging device220, a chart 230, and a scan chassis 300. Wherein, the random selectingdevice 210 electrically connects to the scan chassis 300, and the randomselecting device 210 is used to randomly select and turn on one of theplurality of lamps. The brightness judging device 220 also electricallyconnects to the scan chassis 300, and the brightness judging device 220is used to judge a difference between the brightness of the scanningresult and a predetermined value. The chart 230 is disposed above thescan chassis 300, for the scan chassis 300 to scan and obtain thescanning result.

[0027]FIG. 3 schematically shows a diagram of a light source moduledisposed on a scan chassis of a preferred embodiment according to thepresent invention. The scan chassis 300 comprises a chassis cover 310,two light source modules 320, 320′, a reflection mirror set 330, anoptical lens set 340, and an image capturing device 350. These two lightsource modules 320, 320′ are disposed on the scan chassis 310, and arecomposed of a lamp holder 322, 322′ and a first lamp 324 and a secondlamp 324′, respectively, wherein the first lamp 324 is disposed insidethe lamp holder 322, and the second lamp 324′ is disposed inside thelamp holder 322′. Further, the first lamp 324 and the second lamp 324′can provide a light with a predetermined brightness to the document 20.Moreover, the reflection mirror set 330 is disposed inside the chassiscover 310, and located in the light path behind the document 20. Theoptical lens set 340 is disposed inside the chassis cover 310, andlocated in the light path behind the reflection mirror set 330. Theimage capturing device 350 is such as a CCD, and is located inside thechassis cover 310. Furthermore, the image capturing device 350 islocated in the light path behind the optical lens set 340.

[0028] Then, the light emitted from the first lamp 324 and the secondlamp 324′ emits onto the document 20, and the light enters into thechassis cover 310 via an opening 312 cut in the chassis cover 310 afterit is reflected from the document 20, and finally forms an image on theimage capturing device 350 after it is focused by the optical lens 340.

[0029]FIG. 4 schematically shows a flow chart of a method for turning onthe light source module of a preferred embodiment according to thepresent invention. When the scan device is turned on, the scan deviceselectively turns on the first lamp or the second lamp with equalprobability. If the first lamp is selected to be turned on, the scanchassis scans a chart to obtain a first scanning result, so as todetermine whether the brightness of the first scanning result is higherthan a predetermined value or not. To be noted, the predetermined valueis such as 50% or 70% of the brightness of the original lamp. If thebrightness of the scanning result is higher than the predetermined value(i.e. it is qualified), the scanning document is started. Otherwise, ifthe brightness of the scanning result is lower than the predeterminedvalue (i.e. it is not qualified), the first lamp is turned off and thesecond lamp is turned on.

[0030] Then, after the second lamp is turned on, the scan chassis scansthe chart again to obtain a second scanning result, so as to determinewhether the brightness of the second scanning result is higher than thepredetermined value or not. If the brightness of the scanning result ishigher than the predetermined value (i.e. it is qualified), the scanningdocument is started. Otherwise, if the brightness of the scanning resultis lower than the predetermined value (i.e. it is not qualified), thefirst lamp and the second lamp are turned on simultaneously.

[0031] After the first lamp and the second lamp are turned onsimultaneously, the scan chassis scans the chart again to obtain a thirdscanning result, so as to determine whether the brightness of the thirdscanning result is higher than the predetermined value or not. If thebrightness of the scanning result is higher than the predetermined value(i.e. it is qualified), the scanning document is started. Otherwise, ifthe brightness of the scanning result is lower than the predeterminedvalue (i.e. it is not qualified), the user is then notified to replacethe first lamp and the second lamp. The embodiments mentioned above onlyuse the example of selecting the first lamp. However, the case where thescan device randomly selects the second lamp is similar to the casewhere the scan device randomly selects the first lamp. The details canbe referred to in FIG. 4 and are not described herein again.

[0032] Certainly, the present invention is not limited to the style ofone lamp holder mapping to one lamp as shown in the embodiment mentionedabove. Optionally, the style of one lamp holder mapping to multiplelamps, or the style of multiple lamp holders mapping to multiple lampsare also acceptable. The method for turning on the lamp is as follows:At first, a scan chassis is provided. The scan chassis comprises aplurality of lamps, a reflection mirror set, an optical lens set, and animage capturing device. Wherein, each of the lamps can provide a lightwith a predetermined brightness to a document. Then, one of the lamps israndomly selected and turned on, and a chart is scanned to obtain ascanning result. Then, it is determined whether the brightness of thescanning result is higher than a predetermined value or not. If it is,the scanning document is started. Otherwise, when the brightness of thescanning result is lower than the predetermined value, another lamp ofthe lamps is selected and turned on.

[0033] Further, when the brightness of the scanning result is lower thanthe predetermined value, a step of scanning the chart so as to obtain ascanning result and determining whether the brightness of the scanningresult is higher than the predetermined value or not is repeatedlyperformed.

[0034] Finally, when all lamps mentioned above are selected and allbrightness of the scanning results obtained from using the lamps to scanare lower than the predetermined value (i.e. these lamps are all treatedas failed), all lamps can be turned on simultaneously or only some lampsare turned on, so as to obtain enough brightness and to further enhancethe life of the scan chassis.

[0035] Accordingly, the operation limit of the scan chassis of thepresent invention is not only a summation of the life of singleequivalent lamp. The life of the scan chassis can be enhanced in thecase where multiple sets of the failed lamps are all turned onsimultaneously or only some of the failed lamps are turned on.

[0036] In summary, the scan device and the method for enhancing the lifeof the same at least has the following advantages.

[0037] 1. The present invention can significantly enhance the life ofthe scan chassis.

[0038] 2. The present invention can use a general lamp rather than thelong life lamp, thus the cost is reduced.

[0039] 3. The present invention can maintain a fixed brightness, and itvery stable, thus it can maintain a good scanning quality.

[0040] Although the invention has been described with reference to aparticular embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to one of theordinary skill in the art that modifications to the described embodimentmay be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.Accordingly, the scope of the invention will be defined by the attachedclaims not by the above detailed description.

1. A scan device, suitable for scanning a document, comprising: a scanchassis, wherein the scan chassis comprises at least one light sourcemodule, and the light source module comprises a lamp holder and aplurality of lamps, wherein the plurality of lamps are disposed insidethe lamp holder, and each of the lamps can provide a light with apredetermined brightness to the document; a random selecting device,electrically coupled to the scan chassis, and used to randomly selectand turn on one of the plurality of lamps in the scan chassis; abrightness judging device, electrically coupled to the scan chassis; anda chart, disposed above the scan chassis.
 2. The scan device of claim 1,wherein the scan chassis comprises: a chassis cover, wherein the lightsource module is disposed on the chassis cover; a reflection mirror set,disposed inside the chassis cover, and located on a light path behindthe document; an optical lens set, disposed inside the chassis cover,and located on the light path behind the reflection mirror set; and animage capturing device, disposed inside the chassis cover, and locatedon the light path behind the optical lens set.
 3. The scan device ofclaim 2, wherein the chassis cover has an opening, and the light arrivesat the reflection mirror set via the opening after it is reflected fromthe document.
 4. The scan device of claim 2, wherein the image capturingdevice comprises a CCD.
 5. A scan device, suitable for scanning adocument, comprising: a plurality of light source modules, wherein eachof the plurality of light source modules comprises a lamp holder and alamp, the plurality of lamps are disposed inside the plurality of lampholders respectively, and each of the lamps can provide a light with apredetermined brightness to the document; a random selecting device,electrically coupled to the scan chassis, and used to randomly selectand turn on one of the plurality of lamps in the scan chassis; abrightness judging device, electrically coupled to the scan chassis; anda chart, disposed above the scan chassis.
 6. The scan device of claim 5,wherein the scan chassis comprises: a chassis cover, wherein the lightsource module is disposed on the chassis cover; a reflection mirror set,disposed inside the chassis cover, and located in a light path behindthe document; an optical lens set, disposed inside the chassis cover,and located in the light path behind the reflection mirror set; and animage capturing device, disposed inside the chassis cover, and locatedin the light path behind the optical lens set.
 7. The scan device ofclaim 6, wherein the chassis cover has an opening, and the light arrivesat the reflection mirror set via the opening after it is reflected fromthe document.
 8. The scan device of claim 6, wherein the image capturingdevice comprises a CCD.
 9. A method for enhancing a life of a scandevice, comprising: providing a scan chassis, wherein the scan chassiscomprises a plurality of lamps, a reflection mirror set, an optical lensset, and an image capturing device, and each of the lamps can provide alight with a predetermined brightness to a document; and randomlyselecting and turning on one of the lamps.
 10. The method for enhancingthe life of the scan device of claim 9, wherein the lamps comprise afirst lamp and a second lamp.
 11. The method for enhancing the life ofthe scan device of claim 10, further comprising: turning on the firstlamp; scanning a chart so as to obtain a first scanning result; anddetermining whether the brightness of the first scanning result ishigher than a predetermined value or not, if it is, starting thescanning, and if the brightness of the scanning result is lower than thepredetermined value, turning off the first lamp and turning on thesecond lamp.
 12. The method for enhancing the life of the scan device ofclaim 11, wherein after turning on the second lamp, further comprises:scanning the chart so as to obtain a second scanning result; anddetermining whether the brightness of the second scanning result ishigher than the predetermined value or not, if it is, starting thescanning, and if the brightness of the scanning result is lower than thepredetermined value, turning on the first lamp and the second lampsimultaneously.
 13. The method for enhancing the life of the scan deviceof claim 12, wherein after turning on the first lamp and the second lampsimultaneously, further comprises: scanning the chart so as to obtaininga third scanning result; and determining whether the brightness of thethird scanning result is higher than the predetermined value or not, ifit is, starting the scanning, and if the brightness of the scanningresult is lower than the predetermined value, notifying the user toreplace the lamps.
 14. A method for enhancing a life of a scan device,comprising: (a) providing a scan chassis, wherein the scan chassiscomprises a plurality of lamps, a reflection mirror set, an optical lensset, and an image capturing device, and each of the lamps can provide alight with a predetermined brightness to a document; and (b) randomlyselecting and turning on one of the lamps (c) scanning a chart so as toobtain a scanning result; and (d) determining whether the brightness ofthe scanning result is higher than a predetermined value or not, if itis, starting the scanning, and if the brightness of the scanning resultis lower than the predetermined value, selecting and turning on anotherof the lamps.
 15. The method for enhancing the life of the scan deviceof claim 14, wherein after performing the step (d), further comprisesexecuting at least one time of the steps (c) to the step (d).
 16. Themethod for enhancing the life of the scan device of claim 14, whereinwhen all the lamps are selected and the brightness of the scanningresult obtained by using the lamps to scan are all lower than thepredetermined value, all the lamps are turned on simultaneously.
 17. Themethod for enhancing the life of the scan device of claim 14, whereinwhen all the lamps are selected and the brightness of the scanningresults obtained by using the lamps to scan are all lower than thepredetermined value, some of the lamps are turned on simultaneously.